Machine for applying metallic leaf



1933- G. E. LITTLEFIELD 1,898,782

MACHINE FOR APPLYING METALLIC LEAF Filed June 15, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY Feb. 21, 1933. 3. E. LITTLEFIELD ,898,7

MACHINE FOR APPLYING METALLIC LEAF Filed June 15 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEIX F 1933- G. E. LITTLEFIELD 1,898,732

MACHINE FOR APPLYING METALLIC LEAF I Filed June 15, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY 1933- G. E. LITTLEFIELD 1,398,732

MACHINE FOR APPLYING METALLIC LEAF Filed June 15, 1951 s Sheets-$heet 4 ATTORNEY Feb 1933- cs. E. LITTLEFIELD 1,893,732

MACHINE FOR APPLYING METALLIC LEAF Filed June 15 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY F 21, 1933- G.-E. LITTLEFIELD I 1,898,782

MACHINE FOR, APPLYING METALLIC LEA 4 1 Filed June 15, 1951 e Sheets-Sheet 6 L W WT s nu s I I I w INVENTOR. a 1 mfiflam ATTORNEY I GEORGE E. LITTLEEIELD, OF- rnovmnnon,

Patented Feb. 21, 1933 UNi'I-ED STATES PATENT ROLL GOLD LEAF COMPANY, RHODE ISL ND RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO AMERIQAN OE PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND,"A CORPORATION-01E MACHINE FOR AIPLYING METALLIC LEAF a lication filed June 15,

My present invention relates to machines for applying metallic leaf, and has particular reference to machines of the burnishing and: the embossing type.

The application of metallic leaf: has depended on the character of the work and the result desired, and has been oftwo general types, that in which'the work 'is embossed and the metallic leaf then pressed into the embossed characters or design, and that in which the metallic leaf is first pressed into the work and the pressed characters or design are then burnished. Since the application of metallic leaf is essentially a manually controlled operation. in which the functioning of the machine completes a. definite, cycle of operations, it has hitherto; been idiflicult to devise a machine construc-.

tion that maybe readily adapted to either of the two standard types of metallic leaf? application. It is the principal ob-ject of my invention to construct a metallic leaf applying machine of the universal type, that may be quickly and easily changed to obtain either type. of leaf application desired.

Another difiiculty heretofore found in machines .of this character has resided in the application of constant pressure during each operation. It has been found advantageous, for example, to make a relatively; light leaf applying stroke, and a. relatively heavy. burnishing stroke, whenburnishe'd work is desired; also, to make a, relatively heavy embossing stroke and a relatively lightleaf applying stroke, when embossed work is desired. This requires a machineconstruction that will give. alternate strokes of different pressures; and; further objectsof my invention arethereforeto provide ad+ justments for obtaining;v strokes of different pressures, and for controlling the extent of such pressuredifferences.v v

In conjunction with the use of, aheavier pressure for the burnishing operation, or the embossing operation, in accordance with the working procedure, it has been found desirable to provide a yielding support or bed for the work, in order to obtain the most satisfactory results from the differences in stroke pressures. Additional objects of line 3-3 of, Figure 1,

1931. Serial No. 544,445.

freely disclosed: in the detailed description following, in conjunction. with the accom R llying drawings, and more specifically defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure l is a side elevation of a machine embodying the principles of; my invention,

F am 2 i a r nt evat n. he o Figure 3 is a horizontal; section on; the;

Fig. 3a is a deta1 Figure 4 1s, a view, partly in sectiornon theline 4- 4 of Figure 2,

lview onthe; line 30 30, of Fig. 3, parts. being, broken away, M

Figure 5 is v a view, partly in, section, on

the line 5--5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6 .6 of- Figure 3,

Figure 7 is a section on the-line 7 Ji-of; F lgure 3, Y

Figure 8,, is a perspective fragmentary view of theupper toggle plate connection, and; v Figures9, 10, 11; and 12, arefragmentary, enlarged views-showingthe different stroke.

' positions for.: the plungermechanism.

The framework of the novel machine is 1 best shown in Fi uresl and 4, and includes a table15 which 1s mounted on suitablesupports16, and ahollow. casing 17 which has; a basell8 secured to the table by boltsl9, andwhich has side walls-20 and a headportion 21. -A table support housing 22is provided inthe forward end of the lower portion of the casing and includes a base 23 formed inthe table, 15, in which a sup port screw. 24 is, threadedlyv mounted, the upper end of the support screw being formed as afixedsupport plate 25 which maybe adjusted vertically by manual rotation; of; the support screw. The support-screw is preferably tubular to receive a rod 26 whichhas a bearing plate or disk 27 at the upper end and is threaded at the lower end to re ceive lock nuts 38 of the usual type, a coil spring 29 being mounted in the rod 27 between the bearing disk and the support plate to yieldingly urge the rod 26 upwardly. A table standard 30 is slidably guided in the housing 22 and is bored to seat on and de pend from the bearing disk, the standard in turn having a work carrying table 31, preferably of the compound slide type, mounted on the upper end thereof.

This construction of the table supporting mechanism permits an adjustable yielding movement of the work carrying table in response to downward pressure of the plunger mechanism, as hereinafter described.

The carriage mechanism The metallic 'leaf supplying mechanism is mounted on the frame to move longitudinally, and includes a' carriage which has a roll holder section and a feed section. The roll holder section includes a channeled side member 32 which is slidably mounted on a horizontal guide rail 33 secured to one side of the plunger housing 34, and which has secured thereto a plurality of depending arms 35, 36 upon which the rolls 37, 38 of gold or other metallic leaf are rotatably mounted, the roll holder section having the usual teusioning and guiding devices for the paper backed leaf strips.

The feed section includes a member 39 channeled at the upper end thereof to slidably seat on a horizontal guide rail 40 secured to the other side of the plunger hous ing 34, the member 39 having the rubber feed roll and paperbacking engaging and winding mechanism shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Thus, referring to Figure 6, the member 39 includes two'walls 41 in which the shaft 42 of a rubber feed roll 43 is mounted. The walls, see Figure 2, have rectangular guide openings 44 in which bearing blocks45 are mounted, spring pressed by springs 46, a shaft 47 being journalled in these blocks and having segments 48 mounted thereon adapted to engage with the feed roll 43 to advance the paper backing of the metallic leaf strips therebetween. These segments are intermittently moved out of contact with the rubber roll by means of cams 49 mounted on the ends of shaft 47 ,these cams engaging disk '50on the shaft 42, as shown in Figure 7.

Slippage of the gold bearing paper strip is prevented by engagement of a friction bar 51wh1ch is fixed 'inthe feed section above the feed roll 42, the paper strip pass-' with another adjustable guide device 54 on the side of the plunger housing to position the metallic strips in a plane lower than that of the plunger dies when the plunger is elevated, but higher than the plane of the Work carrying table. These guides have horizontal guide rods, and prevent contact of the strip with the frame, thus affording a bearing spaced from the feed roll and the segments, whereby tearing, mutilation and displacement of the strips is eliminated.

As hereinafter described the carriage mechanism is operated in timed relation to the movement of the plunger mechanism to present the metallic leaf strips to the plunger mechanism at desired intervals.

The plunger mechanism In vertical adjustment with the work table is a plunger 55, see Figure 4, which is preferably rectangular in form, and is slidably mounted in the plunger housing 34. A die holder or box 56 is secured to'the bottom of the plunger, and carries the removable dies 57; the die holder is heated in any con-- venient manner, the preferred form being electric heating by means of resistance wires.

The upper portion of the plunger, which terminates slightly above the plunger housing, has across slot 58 of generally circular cross section but cut away to provide a slide lock bearing for the cylindrical end 59 of a toggle plate or bar 60, the upper end 61 of which is also cylindrical but smaller than the end 59, to be received in an arcuate slot 62 in the lower portion of the plunger operating rod 63; A toggle base block 64 is slidably mounted in a bearing housing 65 and has a cross slot 66 similar to the cross slot 58 to provide a slide lock bearing for the upper cylindrical end'67 of a toggle plate or bar 68,.thc lower end 69 being smaller and cylindrical to be received in an arcuate slot 7 O in the upper portion of the plunger operating rod 63. I

The position of the toggle base block is adjusted by movement of a regulating screw 71, screw threadedly mounted in the head 21, and provided with the usual lock nuts, this adjustment controlling the relation of the plunger descent, with respect to the work carrying'table. The plunger has a lateral upwardly extending pivot arm 72 on which a spring holding plate 73 is mounted, and the head 21 has spaced bars 74 extending laterally therefrom, to provide spaced bearings for tension coil sections 75 which normally hold the plunger. upwardly against the toggle action and gravity.

.As illustrated in Figure 4, and hereinafter described,the plunger operating rod is operated by an eccentric, and the power end of the rod is therefore shifted above,

and below the center line of the eccentric motion. Theplunger end of the rod may be moved vertically, by means of the regulating screw 71 and this movement, in conjunction with the different inclinations of the rod produced by the eccentric movement of the power end, relatively displaces the adjacent ends of the toggle bars, and makes the two plunger strokes of different length. Instead of moving the entire plunger mechanism by means of the regulating screw, thus requiring a corresponding vertical adjustment of the table, it is preferred to use different lengths for the toggle bars and 68,. these different lengths producing an equivalent shifting of the plunger end of the operating rod without requiring any change in the table setting; both adjustments may be used, however, if desired. The effect produced in the plunger stroke is more clearly disclosed in Figures 9 to 12.

Thus, considering Figure 9, the center line is indicated at C; with the powerend of the rod 63travelling upwardly and inwardly, and the larger toggle bar 60 mounted in the upper position, the plunger descends to a distance A. below the top of the plunger housing. hen the power end of the rod 63 is travellingupwardly and outwardly, as

in Figure 10, the plunger descends to a dis-j tance B below the top of the plunger hensing, which distance is greater than the distances A. This difference is due to the angularity of the rod 63, together with the difference in lengths of the two toggle bars, with a consequent relative displacement of the adjacent ends of the toggle bars; the actual extent of this difference is very small, in practice not-exceeding a few thousandths of an inch, but the results produced because of thisslight difl'erencein plunger stroke are very appreciable.

Similarly in Figures 11, 12, the toggle bars having been reversed, the upward and inward movement of the power end of the rod 63 produces a larger stroke for the plunger 55 than the downward and outward movement, as indicated by the relative distancesA and B. Since the difference in length of stroke is dueftothe relative displacement of the adjacent ends-of the toggle bars, thebars may be set, by proper adjustment of the regulating screw 71, to equalize thedisplacement and thus produce a uniform length of stroke on both the upward andthe downward movement of the power end of rod 63.

The Operating mechanism Referring, now to Figures 1 and 3, the operating mechanism is actuated by an electric motor 76, which rotates the main drive pulley 77 through suitable means such as a.

with a gear 81 loosely mounted on the power shaft 82. Keyed to the power shaft on one end thereof is a manually controlled clutch arrangement which includes a key carrying hub 83, a lock key 841 being resiliently pressed towards lock grooves 85 at the end of the hub of pinion 81, but being normally kept out of engagement with the lock grooves by a detent finger 86 adapted to enter into a beveled slot 87 of the lock key 84. The detent finger is formed as part of a lever 86a pivotally mounted on the frame, and is normally pressed towards the slot by a spring 89 secured to an arm 88a of an end hub 88, but may be shifted back to release the key by the operator upon engagement of the operators footwith the usual treadle, which is inturn operatively connected to the detent lever by the usual pull wire.

The other end of the power shaft- 82 has an integral bevel gear 90 thereon, meshing with a bevel gear 91 ona stub shaft, 92, see Figure 1, to transmit motion through bevel. gears 93, 94 to the feed mechanism for the metallic leaf strips, in the manner described in my prior Patent No. 1,539,853.

The plunger rod 63 is actuated by the eccentric 95, see Figures 3 and 4, having a hub 96 which is keyed to the power shaft. On the hub 96, which extends laterally, shown in Figure 3, is keyed a carriage shifting cam 98, see Figure 5. This cam has a key way 99 and is keyed to the hub by a pin 99a, and has a second key way 100 which may alternatively be used to key, the cam to the hub and thus obtain shift timing.

The cam 98 operates a rock lever 101, spring pressed against the cam by a coil spring or the like 102 secured at its other end to the casing 17, this rock lever operating a cross shaft 103, which in turn oscillates pivoted levers 104, 105, pivoted to the cross shaft and the carriage, to reciprocate the carriage in timed relation to the plunger operation.

The operation The operation of the novel metallic leaf applying mechanism may now be explained. The operator places the work on the work carrying table, and adjusts the table to bring the dies into proper relation to the work. If the work is to be embossed first, and

' then imprinted with the metallic leaf, the

necessary adjustmentof the carriage opera-t ing cam and the toggle bars is made, as the carriage must be positioned away from the plunger on the first embossing stroke,'and must be positioned to bring the metallic leaf under the plunger on the imprinting stroke, the first stroke being the heaviest. The opposite condition prevails when the metallic design is to be burnished, as the carriage must be; positioned to bringthe metallic leaf under the plunger on the first stroke, and away from the plunger on the second or burnishing stroke, and the second stroke must be the heavier.

Having properly adjusted the carriage cam, the toggle bars, and the plunger screw, the operator presses his foot lever, thus withdrawing the detent finger and permitting the lock key to enter into one of the pulley slots to key the power shaft to the motor, and withdraws his foot. The power shaft now operates the plunger actuating rod to reciprocate the plunger, rot-ates the cam to reciprocate the carriage, and transmits motion to the feed and take up mechanism to properly feed the metallic leaf and take up the paper backin If the operation is a burnishing operation, the carriage is shifted to position to bring the metallic lea-f under the plunger, the plunger descends to press the leaf onto the work, and then rises, the carriage is shifted back, and the plunger again descends to exert a heavier stroke on the leaf to burnish the same, and again rises to permit the work to be removed; no further stroke can be made, as the detent finger has entered the lock key slot, as the foot treadle is no longer pressed by the operator, and has lifted the lock key to declutch the power shaft from the motor. The metallic strip feeding mechanism has meanwhile operated to shift the paper backing and thus bring additional metallic strip in operative position to be moved under the plunger.

If the operation is an embossing opera tion, a similar procedure takes place, except that the carriage is held back on the first, embossin stroke, which is the heavier stroke, and is brought under the plunger for the second, and lighter, imprinting stroke.

While I have described one specific structural embodiment of my invention, it is clear that such arrangement and prop ortioning of the parts as appear desirable to meet the requirement of a particular installation may be made, within the spirit and the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claims- 1. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a resiliently mounted work support in said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said frame,

means for reciprocating said plunger to produce alternate strokes of different length and means for adjustingthe reciprocating means to reverse the stroke alternation.

2. Ina machine'of the character described, a frame, a work support on said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said frame, means for reciprocating said plunger in an operating cycle having two separate plunger strokes, a carriage for supplying metallic leaf, means for periodically shifting said carriage to position said carriage beneath said plunger on one only of said cycle strokes, and means for regulating said periodic shift to change said positioning to the other of said cycle strokes.

3. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a work support on said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said frame, means for reciprocating said plunger in an operating cycle having two separate plunger strokes, a carriage for supplying metallic-leaf, means comprising a rotatable cam for periodically shifting said carriage to position said carriage beneath said plunger on one only of said cycle strokes and means for adjusting said cam to change said positioning to the other of said cycle strokes.

4. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a work support on said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said frame, means for reciprocating said plunger in an operating cycle having two separate plunger strokes of clifferent length, a carriage for supplying metallic leaf, means for periodically shifting said carriage to position said carriage beneath said plunger on one only .of said cycle strokes, and means for regulating said periodic shift to change said positioning to the other of said cycle strokes.

5. In amachine of the character described, a frame, a work support on said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating move ment in said frame, means for reciprocating said plungerin an operating cycle having two separate plunger strokes of different length, a carriage for supplying metallic leaf, means comprising a rotatable cam for periodically shifting said carriage to position said carriage beneath said plunger on one only of said cycle strokes, and means for adjusting said cam to change said positioning to the other of said cycle strokes.

6. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a resiliently mounted work support on said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said frame, means for reciprocating said plunger in an operating cycle having two separate plunger strokes of different length, a carriage for supplying metallic leaf, means for periodically shifting said carriage to position said carriage beneath said plunger on one only of said cycle strokes, and means for regulating said periodic shift to change said positioning to the other of said cycle strokes.

7. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a resiliently mounted work support on said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said frame, means for reciprocating said plunger in an operating cycle having two separate plunger strokes of different length, a carriage for supplying metallic leaf, means comprising a rotatable cam for periodically shifting said carriage to position said carriage beneath said plunger on one only of said cycle strokes, and means for adjusting said cam to change said positioning to the other of said cycle strokes.

8. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a work support on said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating move ment in said frame, means for reciprocating said plunger in an operating cycle having two separate plunger strokes of different length, means for adjusting the reciprocating means to reverse the plunger strokes of the operating cycle, a carriage for supplying metallic leaf, means for periodically shifting said carriage to position said carriage beneath said plunger on one only of said cycle strokes, and means for regulating said periodic shift to change said positioning to the other of said cycle strokes.

9. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a work support on said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said frame, means for reciprocating said plunger in an operating cycle having two separate plunger strokes of different length, means for adjusting the reciprocating means to reverse the plunger strokes of the operating cycle, a carriage for supplying metallic leaf, means comprising a rotatable cam for periodically shifting said carriage to position said carriage beneath said plunger on one only of said cycle strokes, and means for adjusting said cam to change said positioning to the other of said cycle strokes.

10. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a resiliently mounted work support on said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said frame, means for reciprocating said plunger in an operating cycle having two separate plunger strokes of different length, means for adjusting the reciprocating means to reverse the plunger strokes of the operating cycle, a carriage for supplying metallic leaf, means for periodically shifting said carriage to position said carriage beneath said plunger on one only of said cycle strokes, and means for regulating said periodic shift to change said positioning to the other of said cycle strokes.

11. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a resiliently mounted work support on said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said frame, means for reciprocating said plunger in an operating cycle having two separate plunger strokes of different length, means for adjusting the reciprocating means to reverse the plunger strokes of the operating cycle, a carriage for supplying metallic leaf, means comprising a rotatable cam for periodically shifting said carriage to position said carriage beneath said plunger on one only of said cycle strokes, and means for adjusting said cam to change said positioning to the other of said cycle strokes.

12. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a work support in said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said frame, a toggle base, a plunger actuating rod, toggle bars of different length hingedly connecting said rod to said base and said plunger, means comprising an eccentric for producing alternate reciprocations of said plunger of different length, and means for adjusting the reciprocating means to reverse the stroke alternation.

13. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a work support in said frame, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said frame, means for reciprocating said plunger to produce alternate strokes of different length, and means for adjusting the reciprocating means to reverse the stroke alternation.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

GEORGE E. LITTLEFIELD. 

